Obedience doesn’t sound like very good news to the average American ear. It seems like giving someone else control over my life, infringing on my freedom. It sounds like a loss of authority or self-determination (which no one seems to be excited about). But Jesus is...

Many years ago, Alan and I were praying together. With my mind’s eye I saw an image of a dry, cracked desert floor spreading out in all directions. A glass of water was poured onto the desert. Once the water hit the ground, it was gone…it completely soaked into the...

Right now, we find ourselves in the season of Lent, and a few weeks ago, Alan wrote a blog post titled “Lent: An Invitation to True Satisfaction.” He said that, "In Lent, rather than aiming at acquisition, we aim for some form of openness or even empty space. Fasting...

In my younger days, I was taught that reading the bible was for studying, learning, growing and memorizing. And I am grateful. The scriptures are deeply implanted in me because of solid, bible teaching churches. And, somewhere along the way, I was taught (maybe more...

Many of you know that Gem and I have come to find ourselves at home in the Anglican church over the last few years. One of the gifts we’ve enjoyed in this tradition is its attention to the annual rhythms of the church calendar. This Sunday is the beginning of Advent....